SCAPE and Rogers Marvelhave been unanimously selected from 27 international applicants to create a schematic design for one of the most visited destinations on the Mississippi River: Water Works in downtown Minneapolis. The SCAPE-Roger Marvel Team, which also includes New York-based James Lima Planning + Design and Minneapolis-based SRF Consulting, will be responsible for transforming the historically significant Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park, within which the Water Works district exists, with a master plan based on a series of “visionary” parks and trails.

“Over 130 years ago, the now world-class Minneapolis park system took root around bold vision and a strong sense of the critical importance parks play in the life of a city,” says Jayne Miller, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Superintendent. “Our partnership with the Minneapolis Parks Foundation carries forward that tradition in efforts like Water Works that meaningfully engage the community engagement around park design, programming and financial support.”

Water Works, which draws 1.6 million visitors a year, is a RiverFirst Priority Project. This means it plays a signification role in Minneapolis’ 20-year vision for creating the Next Generation of Parks along a 5.5 section of the Mississippi River. Therefore the SCAPE-Roger Marvel Team will begin their work in August in an effort to set up a schematic, multi-phased master plan by 2014.

The master plan’s initial phase is expected to incorporate several Priority Projects, including three “next generation” destination parks – Water Works, along with Scherer site and Northside Wetlands – which will be interconnected by miles of riverfront trail loops and linked to existing regional and national parks and trails. You can learn more about the project at RiverFirst.com.

The Selection Committee included:

Bruce Chamberlain, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Andrew Caddock, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board

Laura Salveson, Mill City Museum & St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board

Kjersti Monson, City of Minneapolis

Matthew Tucker, Dept. of Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota College of Design